Brussels sprouts can become one of the most successful side dishes for holiday lunches or dinners, especially if prepared in the air fryer. This is supported by Michelin chef Poppy O’Toole, who considers them unfairly undervalued and capable, if cooked well, of transforming into a dish full of taste and personality.
The air fryer saves time and space
More and more people are looking for practical solutions to simplify the preparation of Christmas lunch. The air fryer responds perfectly to this need: it allows you to cook multiple dishes together, reduces time and limits consumption. According to the chef, it is ideal when you have to serve many guests and the oven is not enough for everything.
Vegetables are protagonists, not extras
The air fryer is perfect for side dishes: carrots, parsnips, chestnuts and of course Brussels sprouts. Many vegetables can be cooked in advance and reheated at the right time, avoiding last minute rushes. Sprouts, in particular, add color, texture and character to the dish, without needing to cover them with too many ingredients.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe
The version proposed by Poppy O’Toole includes melted butter, fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts, already cooked chestnuts, salt and pepper. Bacon is present in its original recipe, but remains completely optional. In fact, we openly suggest the vegetarian version, which works very well and really enhances the flavor of the vegetables, without weighing down the dish.
After preheating the air fryer to 180 degrees, the sprouts should be seasoned with butter, salted and peppered and then placed in the basket. The chestnuts are added after the first minutes of cooking. The result is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, without the need for anything else.
Roast potatoes without stress
According to the chef, the air fryer is also ideal for roast potatoes. You don’t need to boil them first: just cut them, season them with a little water, oil and salt, cook them at medium temperature and then raise the heat in the last minutes to obtain a golden and crunchy surface.
Last minute appetizers and starters
Not just side dishes. The air fryer is also perfect for small tastings before the actual lunch. Spring rolls, samosas and other crunchy bites come together in minutes and keep hunger at bay without complicating your day.
Desserts also go through the air fryer
Even some desserts can be cooked in an air fryer. Cream tarts, for example, become easier to handle than in the traditional oven, often a source of anxiety even for those familiar with cooking.
The redemption of Brussels sprouts
The air fryer is not a passing fad, but a concrete tool for cooking better and with less stress. And Brussels sprouts, finally, stop being the side dish that no one wants and become a conscious, tasty and even vegetarian choice.
